SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"Sver'thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avery  Architectu  ral  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  j 

Archive 

in  2013 

http://archive.org/details/manualofbroadwayOObroa 


MANUAL 


BROADWAY  TABERNACLE  CHURCH, 


CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE  BUILDING, 


EVENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  IT. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  JOHN  GRAY,  104  BEEKMAN  STREET. 
1842. 


A* 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 

BROADWAY  TABERNACLE. 


The  chief  design  of  its  founders  was  the  exten- 
sion of  the  free  church  plan,  which  at  that  time  had 
heen  in  successful  operation  for  two  or  three  years. 
A  very  large  building  it  was  supposed  would  fur- 
nish the  means  of  instruction  to  the  largest  number 
of  persons,  at  the  smallest  expense  of  money  and 
ministerial  labour.  Another  design  was  the  accom- 
modation of  large  bodies  of  christians  on  anniversa- 
ries and  other  occasions. 

The  persons  chiefly  engaged  were  Mr.  William 
Green,  jun.,  and  Mr.  J.  M.  Dimond,  upon  whom  in 
connexion  with  the  Rev.  Chas.  G.  Finney  devolved 
almost  all  the  labour  of  superintending  the  contracts 
and  the  building. 

The  work  was  commenced  in  May  1S35,  and 
finished  in  April  1836.  A  church  had  been  formed 
in  the  mean  time,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  members,  and  over  it  Mr.  Finney  was  in- 
stalled pastor,  April  10th.  The  church  was  mainly 
Congregational,  though  the  deacons  were  made  trus- 


4 


tees  of  the  property,  and  the  board  for  the  sake  of 
being-  better  comprehended  by  the  public,  was  called 
a  session. 

The  building  is  one  hundred  feet  square,  and 
stands  on  four  lots  of  ground;  one  of  which  was  pur- 
chased, and  the  others  hired  of  the  estate  of  Peter 
Lorillard,  for  the  term  of  twenty-one  years,  with  the 
right  of  two  other  like  terms  upon  the  usual  con- 
ditions. About  twenty-five  hundred  persons  can 
be  comfortably  seated  in  it. 

The  whole  cost  of  the  land  purchased,  the  edifice 
erected,  and  the  alterations  on  Broadway  to  provide 
an  entrance,  was  over  sixty-six  thousand  dollars 
procured  as  follows : 


By  bond  and  mortgage,         .        .        .  $.j  .000 

Subscribed  by  "\Vm.  Green,  jun.      .        .  5  000 

"        by  J.  M.  Dimond,        .       .  5  000 

u         by  other  persons,          .        .  6  000 

Loaned  by  Mr.  Green,    ....  2o  000 

"    by  Mr.  Dimond,  20  000 


$66  500 

The  sums  loaned  were  secured  by  bonds  and 
mortgages  on  the  property. 

Not  long  after  the  enterprise  had  gone  into 
operation,  Mr.  Green  and  Mr.  Dimond  both  left  the 
Tabernacle,  and  all  its  responsibilities  devolved  on 
the  church  which  remained.  In  the  spring  of  1837, 
Mr.  Finney  was  dismissed  in  consequence  of  ill 
health,  and  the  Rev.  George  Duffleld,  became  the 
acting  pastor  in  June,  though  without  being  for- 


mally  installed.  The  pecuniary  strength  of  the 
church  and  congregation,  was  inadequate  to  the 
management  of  so  large  an  establishment;  and  in 
February  1833,  an  arrangement  was  made  by  which 
the  Dey-street  church  united  with  the  Tabernacle 
church.  The  Dey-street  brethren  insisted  as  a  con- 
dition of  the  union,  that  the  united  church  should 
be  Presbyterian,  and  this  was  assented  lo,  with  the 
proviso,  that  such  principles  of  the  Congregational 
order  should  be  ingrafted  "  as  should  be  approved 
by  the  united  church."  The  Dey-street  church 
brought  w^h  them  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Helf- 
enstein,  but  both  he  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Duffleld  not 
long  after  retired  ;  and  in  the  autumn  of  1838,  the 
Rev.  Joel  Parker  became  the  pastor  of  the  church. 
It  was  at  this  time  that  the  free  church  plan  was 
abandoned  in  part,  and  the  letting  of  slips  substi- 
tuted. The  church  was  harmonious  and  prosper- 
ous for  some  months  after  Mr.  Parker's  settlement, 
and  until  some  disciplinary  movements  on  the  part 
of  the  session  produced  dissatisfaction,  and  a  con- 
troversy ensued  which  was  only  terminated  in  July 
1840,  when  Mr.  Green  having  prosecuted  his  mort- 
gage to  foreclosure;  the  Tabernacle  was  sold  by 
public  auction,  and  purchased  by  Mr.  David  Hale 
for  $34,250.  On  the  evening  of  the  day  of  the 
purchase,  at  a  very  full  meeting  of  the  church  which 
consisted  of  five  or  six  hundred  members,  Mr.  Hale 
informed  the  church  of  the  purchase  and  of  the  plan 
which  was  contemplated,  of  establishing  in  the  Tab- 
ernacle a  Congregational  church,  after  the  pattern  of 


the  primitive  churches,  and  the  churches  of  iNew- 
England  ;  and  invited  as  many  of  the  memhers  as 
might  be  so  disposed  to  unite  in  the  new  enterprise. 
The  officers  of  the  church  were  unfavourable  to 
this,  and  the  result  was  that  the  members  dispersed 
in  variousdircctions,  and  the  church  became  extinct. 

Congregational  Church. 

On  Monday  evening;  July  13th,  1840,  in  the  lec- 
ture room,  at  the  close  of  the  last  meeting  held  there 
by  the  Presbyterian  church,  those  members  who 
were  disposed  to  unite  in  the  formation  of  aCongre- 
gational  church,  were  invited  to  remain.  Thirty 
or  forty  brethren  accepted  the  invitation,  and  having 
conversed  together  of  the  importance  of  the  step 
they  proposed  to  take,  they  kneeled  down  and 
prayed,  commending  themselves  and  the  church 
about  to  be  formed  to  the  guidance  and  care  of  God. 
A  committee  was  then  appointed  to  take  measures 
for  the  formation  of  a  Congregational  church.  The 
movement  was  prosperous ;  several  brethren  from 
other  churches  came  in,  and  after  having  agreed 
upon  some  permanent  principles  of  government,  ar- 
ticles of  faith,  covenant  and  form  of  admission,  the 
persons  whose  evidences  of  piety  had  been  made 
mutually  satisfactory  upon  examination,  entered  in- 
to covenant  with  each  other,  and  with  God,  and 
constituted  themselves  a  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  took  the  name  of  "  The  Broadway  Tab- 
ernacle Church."    The  articles  of  failh,  form  of  ad- 


? 


mission  and  covenant,  were  copied  substantially 
from  Park-street  church,  in  Boston.  The  church 
was  publicly  installed  by  an  ecclesiastical  council 
on  the  3d  of  September. 

The  council  was  composed  of  the  following  per- 
sons. 

From  the  Congregational  cburch  in  Philadelphia,  Rev.  Jno.  Todd. 

From  the  Congregational  church  in  New  Haven,  Rev.  Leonard 
Bacon  and  Deacon  Nathan  Whiting. 

From  the  Spring-street  Presbyterian  church,  Rev.  Wm.  Patton, 
D.  D.  and  Doctor  Alonzo  S.  Ball. 

From  the  Mercer-street  Presbyterian  church,  Rev.  Thomas  H. 
Skinner,  D.  D. 

From  the  New-York  Congregational  church,  Rev.  George  R  Has- 
well  and  Deacon  Monson  Lockwood. 

From  the  Providence  Chapel  church,  N.  Y.  Rev.  Joseph  Harri- 
son, and  Deacon  Dagraw. 

From  the  Mission  Church,  N.  Y.  Rev.  Peter  Lockwood,  and  Dea- 
con Joseph  Harris. 

From  the  High-street  church,  Providence,  R.  I.  Deacon  Samuel 
Billings. 

Rev.  John  Marsh,  and  Rev.  Professor  Bush  of  New-York. 

Letters  of  apology  for  absence  were  received  from 
Rev.  Dr.  Hawes  of  Hartford,  Ct.  Rev.  Dr.  Storrs  of 
Braintree,  Mass.  and  Rev.  Mr.  Mitchell  of  North- 
ampton, Mass,  The  sermon  was  by  Mr.  Bacon, 
the  charge  by  Mr.  Todd,  and  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship by  Dr.  Patton. 

The  Rev.  E.  W.  Andrews  of  West  Hartford,  Ct. 
having  received  the  unanimous  call  of  the  church 
and  society,  and  having  accepted  the  same,  entered 


8 


upon  his  pastoral  duties  on  the  first  Sabbath  of 
January  1811.  He  was  publicly  installed  on  Sab- 
bath  evening,  January  31st,  by  an  ecclesiastical 
council,  composed  of  the  following  persons. 

From  the  Beneficent  church,  Providence,  R.  I.  Rev.  Mark  Tuck- 
er, D.  D.  pastor,  and  brother  Anthony  B.  Arnold,  delegate. 

From  the  North  church,  New  Haven,  Ct.  Rev.  S.  W'S.  Dutton, 
pastor;  brother  Sherman  W.  KneviU,  delegate. 

From  the  third  Congregational  church,  New  Haven,  Rev.  E.  L. 
Cleveland,  paster;  Deacon  David  Breed,  delegate. 

From  the  Congregational  church  in  Kent,  Ct.  Rev.  Wm.  W.  An- 
drews, pastor;  Deacon  Mathew  S.  Barnum, delegate. 

From  the  third  Presbyterian  church,  Brooklyn,  Rev.  William  B. 
Lewis,  pastor;  Elder  Joseph  Howard,  delegate. 

From  the  Providence  chapel  church,  N.  Y.  Rev.  Joseph  Harriion, 
pastor;  Deacon  Joseph  Da%is,  delegate. 

From  the  New-York  Congregational  church,  Rev.  George  R.  Has- 
well,  pastor;  brother  Solomon  Fanning,  delegate. 

From  the  New-York  Mission  church,  Rev.  Benjamin  Lockwood, 
pastor;  Deacon  Joseph  Harris,  delegate. 

From  the  Congregational  church,  Elizabethport,  N.  J.  Deacon 
Jonathan  M.  Ropes,  delegate. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Andrews  preached. 
Rev.  Dr.  Tucker  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor. 
Rev.  Mr.  Cleaveland  gave  the  charge  to  the  peo- 
ple. 

Rev.  Mr.  Dutton  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

The  church  having  elected  brethren  Samuel  Pitts, 
Jno.  C.  Cass,  Israel  Minor,  and  Albert  Woodruff  to 
be  deacons,  set  them  before  the  council  and  they  laid 
their  hands  on  them. 

The  "  permanent  rules"  are  intended  to  bring  all 
the  affairs  of  the  church  constantly  before  the  whole 


9 


body,  and  to  secure  to  every  member  an  equal  share 
in  the  administration.  A  committee  was  agreed 
upon  in  order  to  fix  responsibility,  not  to  confer 
power,  the  church  having  retained  that  entirely  in 
their  own  hands.  The  meetings  of  the  committee 
are  open  to  all  the  members  of  the  church  who  are 
disposed  to  attend.  The  first  permanent  rule  or 
declaration,  was  thought  of  great  importance  in 
the  outset  of  the  enterprise,  inasmuch,  as  manv 
churches  had  been  transformed  into  societies  of 
general  reform,  and  sometimes  of  even  political  ac- 
tion. Popery,  Episcopacy,  and  even  Presbyterian- 
ism  claim  that  there  is  in  the  church  a  power  to 
control  the  members  and  direct  their  field  of  la- 
bour ;  but  Congregationalism  holds  each  member 
responsible  to  the  church,  for  an  orderly  and  pious 
walk  and  conversation,  and  that  he  is  bound  to  ap- 
propriate his  efforts  to  that  department  of  labour,  to 
which  in  his  own  judgment  he  is  called  by  the  Mas- 
ter, to  whom  he  is  directly  responsible  for  the  use  of 
all  the  talents  which  have  been  committed  to  his 
hands.  It  was  in  accordance  with  these  views,  that 
the  church  after  a  thorough  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject, adopted  the  preamble  and  resolutions  on  the 
subject  of  charities,  which  will  be  found  on  p.  16, 17. 

Mr.  Hale  has  executed  to  the  congregation  a  lease 
of  the  great  auditory  on  the  Sabbath,  and  of  the  lec- 
ture room  and  sexton's  apartments  at  all  times,  for 
the  term  of  ten  years,  at  an  annual  rent  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars ;  the  congregation  to  furnish  fuel, 
lights  and  attendance  at  all  limes,  and  to  charge  one 


to 


half  of  the  whole  expense  of  fuel  and  Lights  towards 
the  rent.  This  lease  is  accompanied  with  an  agree- 
ment on  the  part  of  Mr.  Hale,  the  outline  of  which 
is,  that  he  will  pay  the  taxes,  insurance,  &c.  and 
will  receive  all  income  from  the  property  not  in- 
cluded in  the  lease,  keeping  an  accurate  account  of 
the  same,  and  that  if  within  the  ten  years,  the  con- 
gregation shall  refund  to  him  the  purchase  money, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  seven  per  cent,  (the  ba- 
lance of  the  account  of  current  income  and  expense 
being  first  added  or  deducted,)  then  the  congrega- 
tion shall  come  into  the  full  control  and  ownership 
of  the  property. 


ARTICLES  OF  CHRISTIAN  FAITH 

AND 

CHURCH  GOVERNMENT. 

ADOPTED  BY 

THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BROADWAY  TABERNACLE  CHURCH, 


We,  the  Subscribers,  having  agreed  to  unite  in  the 
establishment  of  a  new  Congregational  church  in  New- 
York,  by  the  name  of  "  The  Broadway  Tabernacle 
Church,"  think  it  proper  to  make  a  declaration  of  that 
Faith  which  is  the  bond  of  our  ecclesiastical  union, 
and  which  we  shall  expect  to  find  in  all  those  who  shall 
hereafter  participate  in  our  religious  privileges  and  com- 
munion. 

First. — We  believe  that  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament  are  the  woid  of  God,  and  the  only  per- 
fect rule  of  christian  faith  and  practice. 

Second. — We  profess  our  decided  attachment  to  that 
system  ot  the  christian  religion,  which  is  distinguishingly 
denominated  evangelical;  more  particularly  to  those 
doctrines,  which  in  a  proper  sense,  are  styled  the  doc- 
trines of  grace,  viz : — That  there  is  one,  and  but  one 
living  and  true  God,  subsisting  in  three  persons,  the  Fa- 
ther, the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  that  these 
three  are  one  God,  the  same  in  substance,  equal  in  pow- 
er and  glory ;  that  God  irom  all  eternity,  according  to 
the  counsel  of  his  own  will,  and  lor  his  own  glory,  fore* 
ordained  whatsoe\er  comes  to  pass;  that  God,  in  His 
most  holy,  wise,  and  powerful  providence,  preserver  and 


12 


governs  all  His  creatures,  and  all  their  actions  ; — that  by 
the  fall,  all  mankind  lost  communion  with  God,  are  un- 
der His  wrath  and  curse,  and  liable  to  all  the  miseries  of 
this  life,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the  pains  of  hell  forever; 
that  God  out  of  His  mere  good  pleasure,  from  all  eter- 
nity, elected  some  to  everlasting  life ;  entered  into  a  cove- 
nant of  grace,  to  deliver  them  from  a  state  of  sin  and 
misery,  and  introduce  them  into  a  state  of  salvation  by  a 
Redeemer;  that  this  Redeemer  is  the  Lord  Jesus 
Ch'ust,  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  who  became  man,  and 
continues  to  be  God  and  man  iu  two  distinct  natures,  and 
one  person  for  ever  ;  that  the  effectual  calling  of  sinners 
is  the  work  of  God's  Spirit  ;  that  their  justification  is 
only  for  the  sake  of  Christ's  righteousness  by  faith. — 
And  we  hereby  covenant  and  engage,  as  fellow  chris- 
tians of  one  faith,  and  partakers  of  the  same  hope  and 
joy,  to  give  up  ourselves  unto  the  Lord,  for  the  observ- 
ance of  the  ordinances  of  Christ  together  in  the  same 
society,  and  to  unite  together  in  one  body  for  the  public 
worship  of  God,  and  the  mutual  edification  one  of  ano- 
ther in  the  fellowship  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  exhorting,  re- 
proving, comforting,  and  watching  over  each  other,  for 
mutual  edification  ;  looking  for  that  blessed  hope  and  the 
glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God,  even  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  Himself  for  us,  that  He  might 
redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  Himself  a 
peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works. 

[This  declaration  is  contained  in  a  separate  book  of  records,  and  to 
it  the  signature  of  each  member  should  be  affixed  after  his  election  by 
the  church,  and  before  his  public  profession  and  covenant.] 

FORM  OF   ADMISSION   TO  THE  CHURCH. 

You  have  presented  j-ourselves  in  this  public  manner 
before  God,  to  dedicate  yourselves  to  His  service,  and 
to  incorporate  yourselves  with  His  visible  people.  You 
are  about  to  profess  supreme  love  to  Him,  sincere  con- 
trition for  all  yojr  sins,  and  faith  unfeigned  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  to  enter  into  a  solemn  covenant  to  re- 


13 


ceive  the  Father,  Sun,  and  Holy  Ghost,  as  they  are 
offered  in  the  gospel,  and  to  walk  in  all  the  command- 
ments and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless.  We  trust 
yon  have  well  considered  the  nature  of  these  professions 
and  engagements.  The  transaction  is  solemn,  and 
will  be  attended  with  eternal  consequences.  God  and 
holy  angels  are  witnesses.  Your  vows  will  be  recorded 
in  heaven,  to  be  exhibited  on  your  trial  at  the  Last  Day. 
Yet  be  not  overwhelmed.  In  the  name  of  Christ  you 
may  come  boldly  to  the  God  of  grace,  and  provided  only 
you  have  sincere  desires  to  be  His,  may  venture  thus 
unalterably  to  commit  yourselves  and  trust  in  Him  for 
strength  to  perform  your  vows.    Attend  now  to  the 

COVENANT. 

In  the  presence  of  God,  His  holy  angels,  and  this  as- 
sembly, you  do  now  solemnly  dedicate  yourselves  to 
God  the  Father,  as  your  chief  good  ;  to  the  Son  of 
God,  as  your  Mediator  and  Head,  humbly  relying  on 
Him  as  your  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King, and  to  the  Holy 
Spirit,  as  your  Sanctifier,  Comforter,  and  Guide.  To 
this  one  God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  you  do 
heartily  give  up  yourselves  in  an  everlasting  covenant  to 
love  and  obey  Him. 

Having  subscribed  the  articles  of  faith  and  govern- 
ment, adopted  by  this  church,  you  promise  to  walk  with 
us  in  conformity  to  them,  in  submission  to  all  the  orders 
of  the  gospel,  and  in  attendance  on  all  its  ordinances, 
and  that,  by  the  aid  of  the  ETivine  Spirit,  you  will  adorn 
your  profession  by  a  holy  and  blameless  life. 
This,  you  severally  profess  and  engage. 

In  consequence  of  these  professions  and  promises,  we 

[Here  the  members  of  the  church  rise  and  remain  standing.] 

affectionately  receive  you  as  members  of  this  church,  and 
in  the  name  of  Christ  declare  you  entitled  to  all  its  visi- 
ble privileges.  We  welcome  you  to  this  fellowship  with 
us  in  the  blessings  of  the  gospel,  and  on  our  part  engage 
to  watch  over  you,  and  seek  your  edification,  as  long  as 


14 


you  shall  continue  among  us.  Should  you  have  occa- 
sion to  remove,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  seek,  and  ours  to 
grant  a  recommendation  to  another  church  ;  for  hereaf- 
ter you  can  never  withdraw  from  the  watch  and  commu- 
nion of  the  saints,  without  a  breach  of  covenant. 

And  now,  beloved  in  the  Lord,  let  it  be  impressed  on 
your  minds,  that  you  have  entered  into  solemn  circum- 
stances from  which  you  can  never  escape.  Wherever 
yeu  go,  these  vows  will  be  upon  you.  They  will  follow 
you  to  the  bar  of  God,  and  in  whatever  world  you  may 
be  fixed,  will  abide  upon  you  to  eternity.  You  can 
never  again  be  as  you  have  been.  You  have  unalterably 
committed  yourselves,  and  henceforth  you  must  be  the 
servants  of  God.  Hereafter  the  eyes  of  the  world  will 
be  upon  you  ;  and  as  you  demean  yourselves,  so  religion 
will  be  honoured  or  disgraced.  If  you  walk  worthy  of 
your  profession,  you  will  be  a  credit  and  a  comfort  to  us  ; 
but  if  it  be  otherwise,  you  will  be  to  us  a  grief  of  heart 
and  a  vexation.  And  if  there  is  a  wo  pronounced  on 
him  who  offends  one  of  Christ's  little  ones,  wo,  wo  to  the 
person  who  offends  a  whole  church  '  "  But  beloved,  we 
are  persuaded  belter  things  of  you,  and  things  that  ac- 
company salvation,  though  we  thus  spean."  May  the 
Lord  guide  and  preserve  you  till  death,  and  at  last  re- 
ceive you  and  us  to  that  blessed  world,  where  our  love 
and  joy  shall  be  for  ever  perfect. — Amen. 


For  the  weU-orcUring  of  our  affairs,  we  adopt  the  follow- 
ing declarations  and  permanent  rules. 

1.  The  design  of  a  christian  church,  we  understand 
to  be  the  enjoyment  of  christian  ordinances  and  the  main- 
tenance of  the  worship  of  God. 

2.  The  permanent  officers  of  the  church  shall  b-e  a 
pastor  and  deacons,  who  shall  exercise  their  respective 
offices  as  directed  m  the  scriptures. 


15 


o.  The  officers  for  the  year,  shall  be  a  clerk,  who  shall 
also  be  treasurer,  and  five  brethren,  who  shall  co-operate 
with  the  pastor  and  deacons,  in  the  more  especial  over- 
sight of  the  interests  of  the  church.  This  united  com- 
mittee shall  especially  provide  for  the  supply  of  the  pul- 
pit in  cases  of  emergency  ;  they  shall  confer  with  per- 
sons who  offer  themselves  for  admission  to  the  church, 
inquiring  into  their  characters  and  circumstances,  and 
the  reason  they  have  for  the  hope  that  is  in  them,  and 
report  to  the  church,  the  cases  of  all  whom  they  may 
deem  suitable  candidates  for  admission. 

4.  Officers  permanent,  and  for  the  year,  shall  be  elect- 
ed by  ballot  and  without  any  public  nomination,  unless 
the  church  shall  appoint  a  committee  for  that  purpose. 

5-  The  church  will  meet  for  prayer  and  conference 
every  Monday  evening.  The  sacrament  of  the  supper 
will  be  administered  on  the  first  Sabbaths  of  January, 
March,  May,  July,  September  and  November,  and  the 
Monday  evening  meetings  next  preceding  these  Sabbaths, 
shall  be  business  meetings,  at  which  any  matter  relating 
to  the  interests  of  the  church  may  be  introduced,  and  the 
Monday  evening  preceding  the  first  Sabbath  in  March 
shall  be  the  annual  meeting,  at  whicn  the  committee 
shall  make  a  report  of  their  proceedings,  and  new  elec- 
tions shall  be  made. 

6.  Candidates  for  admission  shall  be  reported  to  the 
church  at  least  two  weeks,  and  propounded  to  the  con- 
gregation at  least  one  week  before  the  business  meeting 
at  which  their  cases  are  to  be  acted  on  by  the  church. — 
They  shall  become  members  by  election,  and  signing 
the  articles  of  faith  and  covenant,  and  those  who  have 
not  done  so  before,  by  making  a  public  profession. 

7.  All  questions  shall  be  determined  by  the  votes  of 
the  male  members  of  lawful  age,  present  on  the  occasion. 

8.  The  confession  of  faith,  covenant,  form  of  admission 
or  standing  rules  may  not  be  altered,  except  by  a  vote  of 
two  thirds  at  an  annual  meeting;  such  alteration  having 
been  proposed  in  writing  at  a  previous  business  meeting, 


16 


DISMISSION   OF  MEMBERS. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church,  Dec.  28,  1840.  Resolccd, 
That  the  clerk  of  the  church  is  hereby  authorised  to  give 
letters  of  dismission  and  recommendation  to  any  member 
of  the  church  who  may  request,  it,  such  request  being 
first  announced  at  a  weekly  prayer  meeting,  and  remain- 
ing at  least  one  week  without  objection  being  made  by 
any  member  of  the  church- 

At  the  same  time  it  was  agreed,  that  the  time  for  com- 
muning at  the  supper,  should  be  immediately  after  the 
usual  morning  service  on  the  Sabbath. 

CHARITIES. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  were  adopted 
Nov.  9th,  1841. 

"  Whereas  the  design  of  a  Christian  church,  as  stated 
in  the  first  declaration  of  this  church,  is  the  enjoyment 
of  christian  ordinances  and  the  maintenance  of  the  wor- 
ship of  God  and  whereas  a  Congregational  church 
possesses  no  power  to  compel  a  member  to  engage  in 
any  particular  department  of  christian  labour;  and 
whereas  there  are  now  societies  to  which  christians  may 
unite  themselves  for  the  furtherance  of  all  works  of  chris- 
tian benevolence,  if  they  believe  that  their  usefulness 
will  be  thereby  promoted  ;  and  whereas,  we  have  in  this 
church,  members  who  are  connected  with  almost  all  the 
great  religious  charitable  societies,  who  may  sec  to  the 
interests  of  those  societies  ;  and  whereas,  there  is  great 
diversity  of  opinion  among  us  in  reference  to  the  vari- 
ous charitable  movements  of  the  day,  but  great  har- 
mony in  regard  to  the  peculiarand  special  designs  of  the 
church,  which  harmony  may  be  interrupted  as  it  has  been 
in  other  churches,  by  any  effort  to  co-operate  in  our  or- 
ganized capacity  with  other  societies. — Therefor^, 

Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  expedient  in  our  action  as 
a  church,  to  confine  ourselves  to  that  design  set  forth  in 


IT 


the  following  declaration,  viz  :  '  The  design  of  a  Chris- 
tian church,  we  understand  to  be  the  enjoyment  of  chris- 
tian ordinances,  and  the  maintenance  of  the  worship  of 
God.' 

Resolved,  That  the  pastor  be  and  he  is  hereby  requested 
to  bring  before  the  congregation,  the  claims  of  such  ob- 
jects of  christian  charity,  as  may  seem  to  him  best, 
either  himself  or  by  the  employment  of  other  persons. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  that  public  contribu- 
tions should  be  taken  up  on  the  Sabbath,  for  any  other 
purpose  than  the  support  of  public  worship  and  christian 
ordinances  in  this  church  and  congregation.  [This  reso- 
lution was  afterwards  modified,  so  as  to  allow  the  house 
to  be  appropriated  for  a  specified  price  to  other  objects, 
with  the  right  of  taking  up  contributions  for  those  objects.} 

TRUSTEES. 

The  revised  statutes  of  the  state  of  New- York,  pro- 
vide, that  religious  congregations  may  organize  them- 
selves by  the  election  of  not  less  than  three,  nor  more 
than  nine  trustees;  such  trustees  to  be  elected  by  the 
"  male  persons  of  full  age"  belonging  to  the  church  or 
congregation,  and  immediately  after  their  election  to  be 
divided  into  three  classes,  one  of  which  classes  shall 
go  out  annually.  Two  elders  or  deacons, lt  nominated  by 
a  majority  of  the  members  present"  are  to  preside  at  the 
election,  who  shall  "  certify  under  their  hands  and  seals 
the  names  of  the  persons  elected."  One  month  before 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  any  trustee,  the  board  of 
trustees  are  to  notify  the  pastor  of  the  fact,  and  he  is  to 
notify  the  congregation  of  said  vacancies,  and  appoint 
the  time  and  place  for  a  new  election,  which  time  shall 
be  at  least  six  days  before  the  vacancies  happen.  The 
first  Board  of  trustees  in  this  congregation,  were  elected 
October  20,  1840. 


Iiist  of  Members 

OF  THE 

BPuOADWAY  TAEERNACLE  CHURCH. 


Persons  constituting  the  Church  at  if s  organization,  Sept.  3,  1840. 


Mr.  David  Halo, 
Mrs.  Lucy  S.  IIulc, 

"    Lydia  Hale, 
Mr.  Richard  Halo, 

"    Samuel  Pitts, 
Mrs.  Rhoda  P.  Pitts, 
Mr.  Marcus  Hurd, 
Mrs.  Fanny  Hurd, 
Mr.  Abel  K.  Thompson, 

"    Israel  Minor, 
Mrs.  Charlotte  L.  Minor, 
Mr.  Jacob  BrinckerhofF, 
Mrs.  Mary  G.  BrinckerhofT, 
Mr.  Silas  C.  Smith, 
Mrs.  Mary  Smith, 
Mr.  David  J.  Huntington, 
Mrs.  Emily  S.  Huntington, 
Miss  Harriet  S.  Chamberlain, 
Mr.  David  Bourne, 
Mrs.  Mary  Gray,  died  June  19, 

1841. 

Mr.  Francis  N.  Shaw, 
"    William  M.  Ray, 
"    Charles  Roberts,  d.  June  8, 
1842. 

Mr.  Martin  Uhler,  d.  April  12, 
1842. 

Mr.  Augustus  Hustace, 

"  J.  W.  Fellows  \  d.  Sept. 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  Fellows,  )  27,1841 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Crawford, 
*'   Catharine  Potter, 


Mr.  He7.ekiah  Whitney, 
Miss  Rachel  B.  Sickles, 
Mr.  John  L.  Savory, 

"    Benjamin  Wuterbury, 

"   Isaac  E.  Smith, 

"   George  Williams, 

"   Samuel  C.  Hills, 

"    Hervy  F.  Lombard, 

"   Charles  G.  Wright, 
Miss  Harriet  Barry, (Mrs. Meeks) 
11  Jaquline  Barry,  (Mrs.  llox- 
ie.) 

Mr.  Lucius  Reddington, 

Mrs.  Julia  Reddington, 

Miss  Lavinia  Quackenbcis, 

Mr.  George  Dryden, 

Mrs.  Barburv  Dryden, 

Miss   Ann  Hicks,  (Mrs.  Wat- 
kins,)  d.  April  15,  1842. 

Miss  Catharine  Alexander, 
"   Elva  James, 

Mrs.  Eliza  H.  Bacon, 

Mr.  Stephen  Pritchard, 

Mr.  Asa  K.  Allen,  d.  Jan.  13, 
1841. 

Miss  Cordelia  Halsey, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Probasco, 
Miss  Susannah  Orr,  d.  Aug.  30, 
1842. 

Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Wicks, 
Mr.  Alfred  W.  Smith,  d.  Dec.  6, 
1841. 

Mr.  Leonard  Crocker, 


19 


Mrs.  Penelope  Crocker, 
Mr.  William  G.  West, 

"    Orange  A.  Smith, 

"    John  C.  Cass, 
Mrs.  Susan  W.  Cass, 
Mr.  Wm.  G.  Lambert,  d.  March 

31,  1841. 
Mr.  Asa  Parker, 
Mrs.  Rebecca  J.  Parker, 
Mr.  Alexander  Patrick, 
Mrs.  Louisa  Patrick, 
Mr.  John  W.  Crane,  d.  April  3, 
1842. 

Mr.  James  E.  P.  Dean. 

Received  Nov.  I, by  Certificate. 

Mr.  Albert  Wroodruff, 

"    George  G.  Jewett, 
Mrs.  Jane  L.  Smith,  d.  Dec.  6, 
1841. 

Mr.  Albert  L.  Winship. 

January  3,  1841,  by  Certificate. 

Miss  Charlotte  S.  Turner. 

By  Profession. 

Mr.  Abial  B.  Hageman, 
Miss  Sarah  Gray. 

March  1,  1841,  by  Certificate. 

Mr.  Charles  R.  Harvey, 
Mrs.  Rebecca  Harvey, 
Miss  Marcia  L.  Harvey, 

"   Ann  Frost,  (Mrs.'lVood.)  d. 

Nov.  12,  1841. 
Mrs.  Sylvia  Griswold, 

"    Rebecca  Wood, 

"    Sarah  Sickles, 

"    Harriet  Gant, 
Mr.  Stephen  C.  Gray,  died  May 

12, 1842. 
Mrs.  Harriet  Gray, 
Mr  Thomas  Lane, 
"    John  W.  Hall, 
Miss  Priscilla  Polhamus, 

"    Catharine  Doyle, 
Mr.  R.  E.  Dibblee, 


Mrs.  Maria  Dibblee, 
Rev.  E.  W.  Andrews, 
Miss  Maria  C.  Hopkins, 
"  Louisa  Weed, 
Mr.  James  C.  Cruikshanks.. 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Wheeler,  (Mrs. 

Cruikshanks.) 
Mrs.  Sarah  Woodruff, 

"  Harriet  Woodruff, 
Miss  Cynthia  Woodruff, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Elder, 

"    De  Gross  Shipman, 
Miss  Elizabeth  De  Witt, 
Mr.  Albert  W.  Huntington, 

"    Hazen  S.  Crook, 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Belany, 

"   Julia  A.  Belany. 

On  Profession. 
Mrs.  Caroline  Wheeler. 


May  2,  1841,  by  Certificate. 

Miss  Elizebeth  M.  Benton, 

"    Lucy  Rogers, 
Mr.  Jacob  Freeland, 

"    Henry  A.  Halsey, 
Mrs.  Ann  H.  Halsey, 
Miss  Deborah  C.  Woolley, 
Mrs.  Emily  W.  Smith, 

"    Ann  Eliza  Merritt, 

"    Matilda  Peck, 
Miss  Elizabeth  Savery, 
Mr.  Daniel  Whiting, 
Mrs.  Susan  P.  Whiting, 

"    Julia  R.  Towne, 
Miss  Mary  Mulliner, 
Mr.  Jesse  W.  Benedict,  d.  Juno 

13.  1842. 
Mr.  Joseph  W,  Camp, 
"    Edward  E.  Rankin, 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  Erastus  L.  Ripley,  d.  Noy, 
24,  1841. 


20 


July  4,  1841,  by  Certificate. 

Miss  Julia  Arm  Wetmore, 
Mr.  William  If.  Powell, 
Mrs.  Arm  K.  Powell, 
Mr.  Edward  S.  Hates, 

Mrs.  .Mai v  d.  Bates, 
Mr.  William  VV.  Fessenden, 
"    Ellsworth  M.  Punderson, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Kingsbury, 
"   Elizabeth  Quitter, 
"    Emma  Smith, 
Mr.  Charles  G.  Pratt, 
"  Hector  Sean, 

u  Lewis  P.  Clover, 
Mrs.  Bridget!  Clover, 
Miss  Clarissa  Buel, 

"   Resina  rlarnmell, 
Mr.  Franklin  Sayre, 

**    Thomas  P.  Gustin. 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  Jonathan  F.  Morris, 
"    Russell  W.  Robinson. 

Sept.  5,  1811,  by  Certificate. 

Miss  Almira  Ehhctts, 

14    Julia  Johnson, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Meeker,  died  Mav 

29th,  1840. 
Mr.  Munson  Lockwood, 
Mrs.  Charlotte  Lockwood, 
Mr.  Benjamin  Lockwood, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lockwood, 

"    Oliva  Lockwood, 
Mr.  Legrand  Lockwood, 
"   Henry  M.  Benedict, 
Mrs.  Mary  Frazicr,      \  d.  Julv 
Miss  Elizabeth  Frazier,  ]  27, 1842 
Miss  Mary  Smith, 

"    Eliza  Ann  Denniston, 
Mrs.  Mary  G.  Jewitt. 

On  Profession. 

Miss  Betsey  Ann  Harris, 
Mr.  Thomas  J.  Hall. 


Nov.  7,  1841,  by  Certificate 

Mrs.  Olinda  A.  Camp, 
Miss  Adeline  Winchester, 

»   Rachel  Milligan, 

"    Eliza  Stevenson, 
Mrs.  Mary  Carnes, 
Mr.  John  D.  Carnes,  d.  Mav  25, 

1842. 
Miss  Sarah  Oakley, 

"    Maria  Stone, 
Mrs.  Mary  Crocker, 

14    Agnes  Sage, 
Miss  Philomela  Su  inland. 

"    Caroline  Stannard,  d.  May 

10,  1842. 
Miss  Margaret  Frazier,  d.  July 

27,  1842. 
Mr.  Luther  William-;, 
Mis.  Prancei  Louise  Williams, 
Mr.  Charles  L.  Weslervelt, 
"   Nathaniel  Baraum, 
"    Samuel  Whitney, 
"    Cyrus  S.  Minor. 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  Moses  M.  Bradley, 

u    Aaron  Q.  Thompson, 
Miss  Martha  Jane  Clover, 

"    Lucy  S.  Hale, 

"    Laura  Hale. 

Jan.  2,  1842,  by  Certificate. 

Mr.  William  II.  Whitlock, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Whitlock, 
Miss  Mary  L.  Whitlock, 

"    Susan  Rehecca  Webb, 
Mr.  James  J.  Walworth,  )  i.  July 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  Wal-  >  18, 

'  worth,  )  1842. 

Mr.  Frederick  H.  Johnson, 
Mrs.  Uphemia  Sutherland, 
Miss  Joanna  Sutherland, 
Mrs.  Jane  McVickars, 
Mr  William  H.  Moore, 

"   Nathaniel  Davidson, 


21 


Mr.  Wiliiam  S.  Comstock, 
Mrs.  Betsey  G.  Swain, 
Mr.  James  H.  French, 
Mrs.  Mary  W.  French, 
Mr.  David  H.  Fitch, 
Mrs.  Mary  C.  Fitch. 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  Erick  Samuel  Burstrand, 
Mrs.  Adaline  Chapman, 

11    Susan  Clark, 
Miss  Harriet  Wheeler, 

"    Frances  Smedley. 

March  6,  1842,  by  Letter. 

Mr.  Lewis  Pugh,  d.  August  30. 

184-3. 
Miss  Ruth  Grovner, 

"    Mary  G.  Jewitt, 
Mr.  George  Andrews, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Andrews, 
Mr.  Charles  Durfee, 
Miss  Harriet  A.  Gregory, 
Mr.  William  M.  Bennett, 

"    John  Chapman, 
Mrs.  Anna  I.  Chapman, 
Mr.  George  W.  Trembly, 
Miss  Eliza  Ann  Goddard, 
Miss  Julia  Ann  Reed, 
Mr.  Cornelius  B.  Hulshart, 
Mrs.  Mary  Hulshart, 

"    Maria  L  Brown, 
Mr.  David  S.  Williams, 
"    Alans  >n  Taylor,      )  d.  June 
Mrs.  Rebecca  B*.  Tay-  V  13, 

lor,  )  1842. 

Mrs.  Hannah  Church, 

"    Sarah  Jane  Church, 
Mr.  John  Burdell. 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  John  Bacon, 
Mrs.  Mary  L.  Jackson, 
Mr.  Alvan  Reed, 
Mrs.  Sarah  White, 
"    Harriet  Thompson, 


Mr.  Thomas  N.  Dale, 
Miss  Amelia  Ketchum, 
Mr.  William  Swain, 
Miss  Mary  Jane  Hulslander. 

May  1,  1842,  by  Letter. 

Mrs.  Olive  Wilkie, 

"    Elzier  Dubois, 
Miss  Lucy  Luber, 
Mr.  James  Olmsted, 

"    Courtland  P.  S.  Belts, 
Miss  Hannah  Wheeler. 

On  Profession. 

Mr.  Jacob  Brinckerhoff,  jr. 
Miss  Mary  Moore, 

"   Sarah  Jane  Smith, 
Mrs.  LydiaJessup, 
Miss  Charlotte  Jessup, 
Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Cruikshanks, 

"  Aurelia  Snow, 
Miss  Hannah  Ross, 

"    Rose  Ann  Miller, 
Mr.  Charles  Brown, 

"   John  O'Brian, 
Miss  Mary  F.  Holbrook, 
Mr.  Aaron  V.  Heath, 
Mrs.  Melvina  Heath, 
Mr.  Stephen  Conover,  jr. 

"    Josiab  A.  Priest, 

"   Amenter  Davidson, 
Miss  Sarah  Elder, 

"    Ann  Maria  Lovet, 
Mr  Henry  Camp, 

"    Gerard  Banker, 
Miss  Sarah  Maria  Dempsey, 
Mr.  Jeremiah  C.  Lamphier, 

"    El  wood  Stratton, 

"   John  Gray, 

"   James  Smith, 

11   Thomas  C.  Chandler, 

"   Richard  S.  Cross, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stanley. 

July  3,  1842,  by  Certificate. 

Mr.  Pliny  Allen, 
Mrs.  Louisa  Allen, 


22 


Mi3S  Elizabeth  S.  A.  Curtias, 
Mr.  William  \V.  Smith, 
Mrs.  Deborah  Reed, 
Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Smith, 

"  Elizabeth  Austin, 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Austin, 

"   Cynthia  Jones, 
Mr.  Henry  L  Sartwell. 

On  Profession. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ball, 
Mr.  Charles  Dunham, 

"   William  H.  Moaley, 

"   S.  H.  Provost, 
Mrs.  Anna  Delia  Turcott, 
Mr.  George  Hillier, 

"    Calvin  S.  Knight, 
Mrs.  Mary  W.  Fox, 


Mr.  Jeremiah  P.  Robinson, 
Miss  Eve  Blanchard. 

Sept.  4,  1842,  by  Certificate. 

Mr.  Edward  I.  Smith, 

"    Richard  G.  E.  Humphry, 

"    Myron  Crafts, 

"    John  L.  Bennett, 
Mrs.  Amanda  Bennett, 

u   Jane  Hustace, 
Mr.  Henry  Martin, 

"    George  Hinman. 

By  Profession. 

Mr.  Seely  Scofield, 
Miss  Elizabeth  Bennett, 
Mrs.  Robert  Johnson, 
Mr.  William  Burkhart. 


RECAPITULATION. 


United  at  the  organization,  Sept.  3,  1840. 
"  "         Nov.  1,  1840. 

Jan.  3,  1841. 
"  -         Mar.  1,  1841. 

"  "         May  2,  1841. 

"         July  4  ,1841. 
"  "         Sept.  5,  1841. 

"  Nov.  7,  1841. 
Jan.  2,  1842. 
Mar.  G,  1842. 
May  1,  1842. 
July  3,  1842. 
Sept.  4,  1842. 


By  Letter.   By  Profess. 
69 


4 

1 
31 
17 
13 
15 
19 
18 
22 

6 
10 


238 
70 


1 
1 

2 

2 

5 
5 
9 
29 
10 
4 

70 


Have  taken  letters  of  dismis- 
sion to  other  churches, 
Have  died, 


308 
27 

281  mem.  Sep.1842. 


d.  Dismissed  by  Letter. 


OF  THE 


BROADWAY  TABERNACLE  CHURCH, 


WITH  A 


CONCISE  HISTORY  OF  THE  BUILDING, 


AND  THE 


EVENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  IT. 


